10-17-07, 12:01 pm

A statement issued today (17 October 2007) by a spokesman of the Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party expressed deep concern about the escalation of tension on Iraq's borders with neighboring Turkey. It said that this escalation 'has coincided with military build-up on the Turkish side and mounting threats by Ankara to invade the territories of Iraqi Kurdistan under the pretext of the presence of PKK fighters there. During recent days, peaceful villages deep inside the Kurdistan region have been subjected to heavy arbitrary bombardment by the Turkish artillery.'

'While rejecting and denouncing this escalation, we call for putting an immediate end to it, and to stop, fully and once and for all, the use of violent means and military force. The only means to achieve an effective and just resolution of emerging problems is through dialog between the two neighboring countries, and through peaceful negotiations that avoid solving the problems of one side at the expense of the other. Such negotiations should be aimed at developing good and stable neighborly relations, on the basis of mutual interests, non-interference in internal affairs, and respecting the sovereignty of each country and the inviolability of its territories.'

'We, therefore, welcome the ongoing efforts exerted in Baghdad and Ankara to contain the danger which is looming in the border areas, to put an end to it, and to resort to peaceful dialog and diplomatic means to resolve the outstanding issues. These responsible efforts need to be supported and pushed forward, in order to restore the climate of peace and tranquility to Turkey's areas bordering Iraq in the Kurdistan region.'